Manilyn G.

Bacatan

MPA 501 Politics & Administration

POLITICAL PROBLEM - Political Dynasty

INTRODUCTION

Article II, Sec. 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that, “The state shall

guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political

dynasties as may be defined by law.” The provision is very clear to its intent and

provides the prohibition of political dynasty but it did not give a clear definition of

what is political dynasty. Thus, it is still prevalent in our country for a long time and

have long been a feature of the Philippine political landscape.

BACKGROUND of the PROBLEM

Political dynasties started emerging after the Philippine Revolution when the First

Republic of the Philippines was established. Following the defeat of the Spanish in

the Spanish–American War, the surviving members of the Spanish or Spanish-

sanctioned landholding elite and the newly ascendant merchant elite, who were

mostly foreign colonials or of Chinese origin, formed a de facto aristocracy to replace

the power emptiness the Spanish had left.

Aristocracy survived and prospered under the American colonial regime, and

remained a permanent fixture in Philippine society even following the independence

of the Philippines was finally confirmed following the devastation of the Philippines

under the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II. Over the
years, political dynasties continued to adapt, as newer dynasties emerged to fill

power vacuums left behind by the extinction of older dynasties.

DISCUSSION of the PROBLEM

When does a political family become a political dynasty? They are typically

characterized as families that have established their political or economic dominance

in a province and have coordinated efforts to move on to involvement in national

government or other positions of national political prominence. Political dynasties

usually have a strong, consolidated support base concentrated around the province

in which they are dominant.

A political dynasty to be specific is first, when an elected government official is

succeeded by a member of his household up to the first degree of consanguinity or

affinity. Second, when several members of a family occupy various positions in

government simultaneously.

There are 250 political families who control the country, 56% of whom come from old

political elites like the Osmeñas, Roxases and Magsaysays and 44% emerged after

the 1986 Edsa Revolution.

In the Senate, 16 out of the 24 members belong to political dynasties as are 70% of

the members of Congress. An audit of their statements of assets and liabilities reveal

that lawmakers who belong to political dynasties increase their net worth by an

average of 39% after every term while those who do not belong to dynastic families

increase their wealth by less than 10%. Among local governments, 73 out of 80

provinces are controlled by political dynasties.

ACTIONS of GOVERNMENT to the PROBLEM

Several bills have been filed in relation to the prohibition of political dynasties, and

are currently pending to be approved by the Congress. Many have called for the

Congress to pass the Anti-Dynasty Law, but this bill has been passed over by each

Congress since 1987. In 2016, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law (Republic

Act No. 10742) was signed into law which made some significant changes to

the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). It changed the age of the council from 15 to 17

years old to 18 to 24 years old and it forbids individuals from seeking a youth council

appointment who are closer than the second degree of consanguinity (have the

same grandparents) from any elected or appointed official in the same area.

It is the first Philippine law with an anti-political dynasty restriction for elected

positions, as permitted by the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

In theory, the constitution prohibits political dynasties. However, it still lacks an

enabling law that defines what a dynasty is and its repercussions. Congress has had

the duty to enact an enabling anti-dynasty law since 1987 but failed to do so for self-

serving reasons. There have been 32 attempts but not one has passed the

committee level of the House.

RECOMMENDATION to the PROBLEM

Political dynasties have entrenched themselves deeply in our political system. As a

result, our institutions have become weaker, reforms are slow to implement,

corruption is rife, incompetence is tolerated and partisan politics is the name of the

game in the halls of power.

As citizens, there is not much we can do but resist political dynasties. The power is

still in our hands, as voters. Resist the dynasties and vote for the aspiring, qualified

candidate. It is about time we change our cast of leaders. It is about time we infuse

new talent. Make our voting power a truly powerful one this coming Senatorial

Election and on the upcoming elections. Let us VOTE Wisely! Together we can

make a change, and this change only lies in our HANDS and in the tip of our PEN.